Civilization+Starter

=**  Civilization Starter Recipe  **= Purpose  **  The purpose of this activity includes:  ** Time Required ** This activity should take no longer than 30 – 45 minutes depending upon the length of discussion. It may take less if the participants are not actively engaged.  ** Number of Participants ** Minimum – 8 members Maximum – Since individual groups can be made there is no maximum number. Optimal – 16-32 class members (groupings of 6-8) Supplies Needed ** ** Preparation ** <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6">** Introduction ** // What makes a civilization strong? What factors ensure that it will continue to grow in strength until it too one day assumes the mantle of power that such magnificent cultures as the Greeks, Romans, Maya and Egyptians once held? Are there certain factors that must be present? Is there a magic recipe that helps to create a perfect civilization starter? // Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the very first ancient civilization recipe kickoff. Today you and your friends will help answer the above questions by creating the perfect ancient civilization starter recipe. Yes…you…I know…how cool is that… You and your friends will gather in groups that are randomly assigned by the card in your hand. Once in your groups, you will discuss exactly what makes for a perfect civilization starter. What do you need to make sure your community will thrive and survive? Are some elements more and important than others? Discuss this and look to share all your ideas. As for the card, ignore it until I tell you to open it. Once you open your card and read your civilization factor, you are the advocate, the proponent, the supporter of the civilization factor listed on your card. You must look to share the strengths and even the weaknesses of your civilization factor. You must look to express why it is vital to a new civilization or why it may not be. Be honest here; look for what is best for your group. As you discuss these factors, you must list them in order of importance on your chart paper. Oh, I almost forgot. Your recipe can include only six factors so you may have to choose not to include some in your final recipe. Good luck in figuring out what is more important and what is less important. Remember, you don’t have much time so get right to work. Okay folks, please gather into groups and find a spot away from the other groups either on the floor or in chairs. Remember, inside voices because you don’t want to share your secret recipe. Process ** Step by step guide to use of this activity: <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6">** Debrief ** <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6">** Credits **
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6">**<span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Identification of the key elements that allow for a civilization to begin (the focus is on ancient civilizations rather than modern). **
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6">**<span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Discussion as to what is necessary fro a civilization to begin and what is not necessary. **
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6">**<span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Opportunity for students to share and apply the information they have learned in regards to ancient civilizations.  **
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6">**<span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Opportunity for students to work in small group discussion and share ideas.  **
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6">**<span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Develop critical thinking skills. **
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">**Have fun!**
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">5 minutes to share direction and provide roles to students
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">25-30 minutes for discussion
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">10-15 minutes of whole group sharing
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Cards – 3 X 5 cards
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Labels for roles and explanation
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Colored dots to organize groups
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Markers
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Chart paper
 * 1) <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The facilitator needs to gather the material necessary. (cards, markers, dots, markers and chart paper)
 * 2) <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Chart paper and markers are divided into the necessary number of groups. One marker and one chart paper per group.
 * 3) <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The facilitator will need to create the cards ahead of time. First he/she will divide the cards into groupings of eight civilization factor and apply the same colored dots to each grouping. Ex: 8 cards with red dots, 8 cards with blue dots, etc.
 * 4) <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The facilitator will then divide the six card groupings by writing one of the following civilization factors on each card so that each colored set includes one of each of the topics. He or she will then staple the cards closed so that the reader cannot see the civilization factor inside. The topics include the following:
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Religion (polytheistic or monotheistic)
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Art (al types including music and painting)
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">A river (fresh water, transportation, annual flooding, silt deposition, etc.)
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">An army (consisting of weapons and armor)
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Fertile soil (fertile enough to encourage regular crop rotation)
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Climate (Comfortable enough to survive and aid agriculture)
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">A strong ruler/governmental leader (monarchy, democracy, aristocracy, oligarchy)
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Nearby game/animals for hunting
 * 1) <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Students enter the room and are given a card with a specific color and an item prepared prior to their arrival by the facilitator. (1 min.)
 * 2) <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Students are read the introduction and the directions are explained. Questions can be asked but the goal is to move quickly through this section to get into the discussion elements. (5 min.)
 * 3) <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Students break up into groups based on color and discuss what elements are needed for a civilization starter. The cards are to remain closed for now. (5 min.)
 * 4) <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Facilitator gives the signal and students open their cards. Students then discuss the benefits and drawbacks of their civilization factor. Students create a recipe list in order of importance on their chart paper using the markers. (10-15 min.)
 * 5) <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Facilitator calls students back to whole group. Student groups chare their recipe with the rest of the class. The facilitator leads discussion by asking leading questions.
 * 6) <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Extension of the activity could include a whole group devised recipe.
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Which factors were the most important?
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Which civilization factors were the least important?
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Were there common characteristics about the most important civilization factors? Least important?
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">What makes one factor more important than another?
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Can you give examples of these factors using real life ancient civilizations we have studied?
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Is there a perfect recipe? Why or why not? Use real life examples to explain.
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Is one factor always required for a civilization?
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">How did you solve the dilemma of selecting which factor would not be included in your recipe?
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">This was definitely inspired by Professor Dodge’s use of the Dewey Academy situation.
 * <span style="COLOR: #0001ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f7dab6"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Partially inspired by DODEA grade level standards for sixth grade social studies.